A/N: Please accept my sincere apologies for taking so long to post this. One of my betas had no internet for a little while, and then I was out of town. I will try to get the next chapter up quicker.
Calleigh's POV
When I woke up the sun was trying to peak through the blinds. I looked at the clock on the nightstand. 9:47. I can't believe I slept so late. Memories of the night before started to flood back. The nightmare. I couldn't help the slight shudder that ran through my body at the thought. Eric's arm tightened around me.
"Eric?" I whispered.
There was no response. He was still sleeping. That just made his reaction all the sweeter. He is taking such good care of me, even while he's was asleep. The nightmare had seemed so real. I thought I would never see Eric again, and the thought still filled my heart with pain. I pressed closer to Eric. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to him. When he was shot a couple years ago, it almost killed me. He was dead for 15 minutes! I took a deep breath. No more of this morbid thinking, I scolded myself. It would be much better to think of my second dream. After all Eric's tender words and gentle comforts I had fallen asleep on his chest and dreamed a beautiful dream.
It was a warm, sunny day. Perfect for diving, Eric said. I wasn't so sure about this, but he wanted me to so badly. He said I didn't have to go under, if I wasn't comfortable with it.
"Just get in the water with me. Try it, Cal. You'll love it." He had looked so hopeful I just couldn't say no. If nothing else, I would enjoy the afternoon out on the ocean. The sun warmed me all the way through and Eric was obviously enjoying himself. His familiar Delko smile hadn't left his face since I had agreed. He told me he knew of a little spot on the coast just up a little ways that had the best chicken. They barbeque it right on the beach, and the owner seemed to be quite familiar with Eric.
"Hey, beautiful," he had greeted me. Eric just slung an arm over my shoulder and smiled.
"My girl is beautiful, isn't she, Jim?" he said cheerfully, giving the man a warning glance. I couldn't help enjoying Eric's hint of possessiveness. He was never controlling or overly jealous, just enough to make me feel totally and completely loved. We'd been dating for almost 6 months. The best 6 months of my life.
"Ready?" Eric's question brought me back to reality. Out on the boat. In the middle of the ocean. I started to feel nervous again.
"Look at me, Calleigh," he requested. I did. "You know I love you, right?"
"Yes." I answered slowly, not quite sure where he was going with this.
"I'm a strong swimmer, baby. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I can keep you safe. If you still don't like it after a couple minutes, we'll just spend the rest of the day on the boat. Okay?"
I nodded. He reminded me how to breathe underwater and jumped in first.
"C'mon, Cal," he said. "Turn around and just let yourself fall backwards. It's easier that way the first time. You'll be fine."
I took a deep breath and followed his instructions. The water felt wonderful. Suddenly I didn't know what I had been so worried about. It felt so perfect to be out here with Eric. I smiled at him.
"You wanna try a little more?" he asked.
"Okay."
"Just don't go up or down too fast. I don't want you to hurt yourself. Stick close. If you have any trouble, just grab my arm."
I nodded. We pulled our goggles into place, took deep breaths from our breathing tanks and started our descent.
It was amazing. So beautiful. I'd never seen anything like it. No wonder Eric loved diving so much. He stopped and looked at me. He pointed at me and gave me a thumbs up, making sure I was still okay with this. I was more than okay with it. I gave him two thumbs up. I could see him trying to hold back a grin. We stayed down for over an hour before returning to the boat.
"How'd you like it?" Eric asked as he helped me back up to the boat.
"It was amazing," I said, "I've never seen anything like it!" I paused before asking, "Could I come with you again sometime?"
He had the hugest grin on his face as he answered me, "Of course, Querida. Anytime you want."
It was a wonderful dream. Life had seemed so perfect in that world. Though I had to admit, waking up next to Eric and feeling his arms around me was even better.
I felt him stir and I looked up.
"G'morning," he said, sleepily.
He sounded good first thing in the morning. Looked good, too.
"Good morning," I said. "Sleep well?"
"Can't remember the last time I slept so well. You?"
"Like a baby."
"No more nightmares?"
I smiled remembering my dream. "Oh, no. Definitely not a nightmare."
"Oh?" he asked, sounding quite curious.
I blushed. I didn't mean to give away that much information.
"Can I go diving with you sometime?" I asked, instead of answering.
He looked puzzled by my avoidance, but didn't mention it. "Sure, you know I've wanted to take you for years. What changed your mind?"
"I dreamed we went diving," I said. "It was so beautiful and peaceful."
"If you like, I'll clear it with Horatio and we can go today," he offered.
I thought for a moment. I already had the time off, and Eric had been working so hard, it would do us good to get away and relax for the day.
"Okay," I said quietly. "Just not yet," I added, as he started to reach for the phone. "I just want a few minutes before we have to face the world."
"Take all the time you want, Cal." He pulled me close again. We just lay that way for a few minutes before I stirred.
"Hungry?" Eric asked.
"Now that you mention it, I think I am," I answered.
"I'm going to throw on some fresh clothes. I'll see you in the kitchen," he said.
After he left I noticed the clothes he had left on the dresser and I changed quickly. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to coax some hint of order into it. It didn't look too bad, so I folded my clothes, Eric's clothes, I corrected myself, made the bed and walked into the hall just in time to bump into Eric.
"How does French toast and fresh strawberries sound?" he asked.
"Wonderful." I said. "I don't suppose I could talk you into making some of your sour cream dip to go with the strawberries?" I asked shyly.
He grinned at me. He had the most amazing smile. Beautiful lips, too. Then I realized they were moving
" – made some last night. All I have to do is rinse the strawberries and slap a few pieces of the French toast on the griddle. Coffee's already brewing."
"I can wash the strawberries," I offered.
"Perfect," he said. "I talked to Horatio. He said he was already expecting us to both be out for a couple days." He chuckled. "Probably a good thing, since we slept in so late."
I laughed and took the berries out of the fridge. I washed a couple of the little baskets and dried them.
"You want 'em cut, too?" I asked.
"If you want to," he replied. "I usually just eat 'em as they are and throw the stems on the side of my plate."
"Sounds good to me," I said. "Smells wonderful," I added, as I looked over at the French toast. Eric had one of those electrical griddles that could fit 4 pieces on at one time. He was just flipping the toast over. I put the strawberries on the table, and found the dip, too. I grabbed the syrup, and set the table while I was at it. The butter would have to wait until after Eric was done making breakfast. Can't make French toast without butter.
I grabbed a couple of coffee mugs, and filled them.
"You're such a coffee snob," I said teasingly.
"Connoisseur, please," He retorted. "Don't knock it. You're the one who'll be enjoying the good coffee with me."
I took a sip of the coffee and sighed.
"True. It is good coffee."
Eric put the French toast on a plate and quickly put four more pieces on the griddle. Those were done in almost no time. We sat down, and he offered me some French toast before serving himself. It was so good, and the strawberries could have passed for desert. After we finished eating we washed the dishes together and Eric suggested we stop by my house.
"You may want a better fitting shirt to go under your diving suit." He said. He was right, of course, but I was kind of enjoying his shirt.
I grabbed a couple of sodas after I changed. I threw them in a bag with some sunscreen, just in case.
"I'll wash your clothes, and give them back to you later," I told Eric. I knew it would be a couple days before I had time to wash. In the meantime, I'll have a shirt that smells like Eric around. The jeans, much as I appreciated them, were somewhat inconsequential, as they, unfortunately, didn't seem to carry Eric's scent.
"You don't have to wash 'em," he said.
"I don't mind," I assured him. If he only knew why I was volunteering. I smiled
"Okay." He looked over at me. "You ready?"
"I think so."
"Great. Let's go."
I couldn't believe it. Just 24 hours ago, I was in the hands of a killer, fearing for my life, now I'm going diving with Eric. I never thought I'd agree to go diving with him, but here I am. I'm even looking forward to it.
A/N: Please read and review. I'll try to get the next chapter up ASAP. Maybe after we hit 90 reviews? (Assuming it's back from my betas by then!) But you'll have to hurry. I'm away again next week.
